A weight plate that is comprised of multiple parts that connect to each other around the handle of a progressive resistive device.
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1. A weight plate adapted to fit around a handle of a progressive resistive device, the weight plate comprising:
at least one male plate part and at least one female plate part, each of the at least one male plate part and the at least one female plate part including a cutout that extends from a position at a center portion of the respective plate part outward through a side of the respective plate part;
the at least one male plate part further including a male connector and the at least one female plate part further including a female connector; and
wherein the at least one male connector and the at least one female connector are adapted to connect to one another and secure the weight plate around the handle when the at least one male plate part and the at least one female plate part are inserted over side portions of the handle from directions that are opposite one another.
2. The weight plate of
3. The weight plate of
4. The weight plate of
5. The weight plate of
6. The weight plate of
7. The weight plate of
8. The weight plate of
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The invention relates to weight plates and in particular types of weight plates that are used for weight lifting exercises and that attach to bars, barbells, kettlebells, selectorized machines, dumbbells, and/or other progressive resistive products.
Weight plates are typically flat heavy objects, commonly made of cast iron or steel, and used in combination with barbells or dumbbells or other progressive resistive products, to produce a weighted bar with a desired total weight for particular physical exercises. The plates commonly have a center hole that allows the plate to be mounted over the end of the bar.
One trend that has become more common recently is the design and construction of fixed-weight dumbbells, which are non-adjustable weights created in a dumbbell shape. These weights are often made of cast iron or steel and coated with rubber or neoprene largely for sound deadening, or in some instances made of a rigid plastic shell that is filled with concrete. Such dumbbells come in a variety of weights, but the heavier dumbbells typically come in 5 pound (lbs) increments. This presents a limitation for users that wish to have a finer degree of control at higher weights.
With classic dumbbells and barbells, those that use individual weight plates that are removably attached to a bar, a weightlifter simply adds smaller weight plates to obtain finer adjustments, for example, two plates that each weigh 1.25 lbs with plate attached to either end of the bar. However, with the fixed-weight dumbbells, kettlebells and other similar devices there is no way to add a plate over the bar. With certain dumbbells magnetic plates may be magnetically attached to the outer ends of the dumbbells, however, most modern models include a non-magnetized coating that prevents such a magnetic attachment.
What is needed, therefore, is a weight plate that is attachable to a bar in a manner that does not require the plate to be inserted over the end of the bar, and what is further needed is such a weight plate that may be attached to a fixed-weight dumbbell.
The invention is a weight plate that is formed from at least two sections. Each section has an opening that allows the plate to be inserted over a bar from a side-on direction rather than over the end of the bar, for example, over the handle portion of a fixed-weight dumbbell or kettlebell. The at least two sections include at least one male section and one female section, the male section joining with the female section to form a weight plate that is connectable around a bar and/or handle portion of the bar. The sections may also use magnets to further secure the at least two sections to one another and in place on the bar.
A particularly useful embodiment of the invention has each combined weight plate weighing 1.25 pounds and used with fixed-weight dumbbells. This allows people to progress in weight resistance in smaller increments, which is normally not available with the current fixed dumbbells that increase in 5 pound increments. Without the inventive device an individual is forced to buy each dumbbell in 2.5 lbs increments, which is very expensive. With the inventive device the individual only has to purchase the dumbbells in 5 lbs increments and simply attach one of the combined weight plates to either end of the dumbbell, thus affording them to increase the weight by 2.5 lbs increments.
The inventive device may also be used with barbells, kettlebell, selectorized machines, non-fixed-weight dumbbells, and/or other progressive resistive products.
The present invention is described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, like reference numbers indicate identical or functionally similar elements. The drawings are not drawn to scale.
The present invention will now be described more fully in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which the preferred embodiments of the invention are shown. This invention should not, however, be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, they are provided so that this disclosure will be complete and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art.
In the embodiment shown, each of the female plate part 10 and the male plate part 30 are largely shaped like a conventional weight plate but each has a cutout 12, 32, that allows the respective plate 10, 30, to slide over the handle H from a side of the handle rather than being inserted over the end of the dumbbell or barbell in the manner of conventional weight plates.
The cutouts 12, 32, and the female and male connectors 18, 38, may have approximately the same size and dimensions. For example, the plate parts may have a diameter of 4.5 inches, the cutouts may measure 2.5 inches in width, and the connectors may extend 1 inch into the plate part lengthwise.
Alternatively, the female plate 10 may have a cutout 12 and connector 18 that are slightly elongated relative to the male components 32, 38, to allow the male plate part to be placed at different locations relative to the female plate part around the handle H of a device D. Making the opening between the male plate part 30 and the female plate part 10 smaller causes the weight plate 100 to have a tighter and better fit that leads to less wobbling of the plates 10, 30 against the device D and reduces or eliminates pinching between the user and the plates 10, 30.
In use, a weight lifter inserts the male plate 30 and the female plate 10 over the handle H of the dumbbell D from opposite directions, with the inner sides 14, 34, of each plate facing one another. Once the two plates are fully inserted over the handle the male connector 38 and female connector 18 come together to secure the plates in a fixed position relative to one another.
Each plate may also include one or more magnets 22, 42, to further secure the plates in position. The manner in which the magnets are inserted into the plates is important and incorrect placement may lessen their functionality. Specifically, the magnets do not perform well if they are potted in the plates 10, 30, meaning that the sides of the magnets may not be in contact with the sides of the weight plates 10, 30, but have a small gap between the outer edge of each magnet and the plate 10, 30. The magnets may be held in place, for example, by an adhesive, and it is also possible to pot the very end of the magnet while leaving the majority of the magnet separated from the plates 10, 30.
Additionally, each plate may also have a slightly sloped outer edge, also referred to as a continuous relief area, 24, 44, around the outer diameter on the adjoining male and female surfaces, to create a space that enables the user to insert a finger/finger nail or a thin device such as a flat headed screwdriver or utility tool to separate the plates and break the magnetic force holding them together.
The plates 10, 30, may be made of any suitable conventional material such as, for example, cast iron. Many magnets that attract to the plate material may be suitable, for example, rare earth magnets. As noted above, a particularly useful embodiment includes a connecting weight plate having a total weight of 1.25 lbs. However, the plates may be made to be any weight. In each set, it is likely that female plate is slightly lighter than the male plate due to the female connector requiring less material while the male connector includes more material.
It is understood that the embodiments described herein are merely illustrative of the present invention. Variations in the construction of the weight plate may be contemplated by one skilled in the art without limiting the intended scope of the invention herein disclosed and as defined by the following claims.
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